Scientists Create Alarm to Warn Against Forest Danger

A group of 60 international scientists has created a warning system that sounds an alarm whenever the world’s rainforests are in danger, to help regulate the climate and protect nature before it’s too late.

“A diverse suite of solutions will be required to address rainforest vulnerability given each ecosystem’s unique response to different stressors,” says Nicole Alexiev, vice president of science and innovation at the National Geographic Society.

Backed by the National Geographic Society and Swiss watch manufacturer Rolex, the team of scientists developed the tropical forest vulnerability index which relies on satellite data to track and analyze the changes climate and land use have on tropical forests, and how they respond to stress factors such as drought (in the Amazon and Congo Basins), logging, and land clearing for farming (in the Southeast Asia’s rainforests). The idea is to alert policymakers and conservationists regarding rising dangers so they can take action to protect the forests.